Going for Gold legend Henry Kelly dies, aged 78

26 February 2025, 13:36

Henry Kelly was a serious journalist who became an absolute icon of light entertainment.

Irish journalist and TV presenter Henry Kelly has died at the age of 78.

The broadcaster had a half-century career in broadcasting and was best known as the presenter of hit game show Going for Gold.

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"Henry will be sorely missed by his friends and family, including his partner Karolyn Shindler, their son Alexander, Henry's daughter Siobhan and her mother Marjorie," said his family in a statement.

Kelly fronted Going for Gold on BBC1 from its launch in 1987 until 1996. The show was a massive hit and its theme song, composed by Hans Zimmer, was instantly recognisable.

Before Going for Gold, Kelly worked as a co-presenter of ITV show Game for a Laugh and later TV-am.

going for gold 1980's (opening theme)

Prior to his work on TV, Kelly worked as a journalist for The Irish Times and became the paper's Belfast-based Nothern editor during The Troubles.

He wrote the 1972 book How Stormont Fell before moving to London to work for Radio 4 in 1976.

While fronting on Going for Gold he intermittently continued his journalism.

In 2000, he played a fictional quiz show host in the two-part finale of Victoria Wood's sitcom dinnerladies.